Oil and gas are big in the state of Texas. They boost the economy and make well-paying jobs available to residents. But along with the benefits come the risk of deadly transportation accidents. Collisions involving gas trucks can cause widespread devastation on the roadways, and they are on the rise in certain areas of the state.
What Causes Tanker Truck Crashes?
Gas truck accidents can happen with little or no warning, and the consequences can be life-altering. Most tanker truck accidents result from driver error or vehicle malfunctions. Many rollovers occur because of a combination of driver fatigue and dangerous conditions. Faulty brakes or failure of other truck equipment can lead to a serious crash, as can improperly secured or oversized loads.
Gas truck drivers are transporting highly combustible fuels. When they are involved in a crash, the results can be disastrous. In addition to the trauma of a collision with an enormous, heavy tanker, fatal or catastrophic injuries can result from fires and explosions.
Where Do Most Gas Truck Accidents Occur in Texas?
A study from Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) shows a correlation between increased oil and gas drilling and more traffic crashes in certain areas of the state. This study’s findings are based on comparisons of two timeframes in the Permian Basin, Eagle Ford Shale, and Barnett Shale regions. In both the Eagle Ford and Permian regions, the number of rural crashes involving commercial vehicles increased significantly, corresponding with a significant increase in the number of new wells.
- Permian Basin: 61% increase in the number of new wells; a 52% increase in rural commercial vehicle crashes; 103% increase in crash injury costs.
- Eagle Ford Shale: 131% increase in the number of new wells; 61% increase in rural commercial vehicle crashes; 52% increase in crash injury costs.
- Barnett Shale: 49% increase in the number of new wells; 34% increase in rural commercial vehicle crashes; 35% increase in crash injury costs.
- Remainder of Texas: 36% reduction in the number of new wells; 9% reduction in commercial vehicle accidents; 3% reduction in crash injury costs.
In comparing the two time periods, researchers found that the costs of commercial vehicle crashes in the Eagle Ford Shale region increased by $139 million for economic costs and by $801 million to $2 billion for comprehensive costs. The Permian Basin experienced an increase in economic costs of $176 million and an increase in comprehensive costs of $1.03 to $2 billion.
Truck Accident Statistics in Texas
TTI reports a total of 29,475 traffic crashes involving commercial vehicles, including gas trucks, statewide in a recent year.
- Of those truck accidents, 456 were fatal, and 1,073 caused incapacitating injuries.
- 2,684 of these crashes occurred in the Eagle Ford Shale region, 3,425 occurred in the Barnett Shale region, and 2,038 occurred in the Permian Basin region – totaling 10,185 commercial vehicle accidents in these three areas.
- 21,328 commercial vehicle crashes occurred in the remaining Texas counties.
If you have been seriously injured or lost a loved one in a crash involving a gas truck, your best course of action is to speak with an experienced Texas trucking accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact Sorey & Gilliland, LLP at (903) 230-5600.
